[00silvergt]

I also see it this way, before the Dot Gones, I was contracted on the side doing computer consulting since I was 11 years old. When I reached 18-19, I started to raise my pricing from ~7-8 an hour to ~20-30 an hour. Before the Geek squads, etc. I was charging $350 an hour for any client that needed my assistance, at my pinnacle, right before the bust.

However, I still charge $350 an hour, but I only have a few selected clients, ones that I've earned their trust, etc. and understand exactly what they are paying for. Not some kid who thinks they know what to do and sit there and guess all day on their computers or worst; mess it up.

If someone needed my assistance, I quote them my price and then I tell them to look at what the Geek Squad can do for them. If the Geek Squad can not help them, then come call me.

So I guess this applies here as well. If you are confident and have a strong client base, ones that won't dare go to a cheap studio, e.g. the Picture People, then by all means charge what your heart allows and what your client is willing to pay. However, you have to resign to the fact that unless you tailor your pricing to the audience, you will not gain the volume.

As for my computer consulting, that's fine with me. It keeps things more normal and gives me time for my family. I do understand if this is your only source of income and how that would play out. I guess it really is up to the individual and how they would like their business to be. To grow and reach more of a broader client base, then you will have to compete with The Picture People. If you want to stay, pretty much the "Mercedes Benz" of photographers, then as long as you know that you will probably not be all that busy all the time, unless you are some famous, real great photographer, that has the right connections.